017687 71656 www.awalkinthecountry.com Herriot Way Page 1 Herriot Way The Herriot Way is a circular route – some 52 miles / 84 km in length – and it runs through some of the most beautiful scenery in the Yorkshire Dales. The Herriot Way is based on a walk taken by the well-known veterinarian and writer James Herriot – after whom it is named – who moved to the area in the late 1930s to start a veterinary practice. This walk passes through a number of the places where James Herriot lived and worked: Wensleydale, famous for its cheese and its waterfalls, Swaledale with its wildflower meadows and its rolling landscape of dry stone walls and barns made from limestone, as well as the thriving market town of Hawes. To book visit www.awalkinthecountry.com or call 017687 71656 017687 71656 www.awalkinthecountry.com Herriot Way Page 2 Why do this walk? Essential Info - Experience the Yorkshire Dales as described by Length: From 4 days / 5 nights well-known vet James Herriot in his books ‘All Full Route Length: 52 miles / 84 km Creatures Great and Small’ and ‘James Herriot’s Shortest Break Length: 52 miles / 84 km Yorkshire.’ - Visit some of the area's natural phenomenon: Moderate Hardraw Force, which at 100ft is the highest single- drop waterfall in England, and Aysgarth Falls, a Grade The individual day walks themselves are not triple flight of waterfalls, surrounded by forest and farmland, carved out by the River Ure, which hugely strenuous, but the fact that you will be featured in the Kevin Costner film "Robin Hood - walking on consecutive days (unless you include a Prince of Thieves". rest day) does mean that you will need to be - Explore Thwaite, a largely unspoilt village in heart prepared. The walk should be well within the of the Yorkshire Dales National Park, Reeth, which limitations of those with a good level of fitness or has been championed by one of the Yorkshire who are regular walkers. There are some climbs. Dale's most esteemed authors - Ella Pontefract - as Terrain A variety of terrain - riverside paths, "a little country in itself", and Askrigg, a pretty village meadows, open fells and moorland. which enjoyed television fame in the 1970s and What’s it like underfoot? Varied! Much of the route 1980s as home of the vet James Herriot. - Sample the world famous Wensleydale Cheese, is on well-defined paths, tracks, and country lanes, made at the Wensleydale Creamery in the town of but there are sections that can be muddy, wet, Hawes, where they've been hand-making this rough, and steep (although not often all at the same cheese for more than 100 years. time!) How much up and down? An overall height gain of around 7,700 feet (2,350 m) and an equal amount of descent. The most difficult section is likely to be the day that includes the ascent of Great Shunner Fell, between Hawes and Keld. This involves a long climb but it is not steep and has a good path. Signposting Although the route itself is not signposted it follows established Rights of Way along its whole length, for example on some parts of the Pennine Way, footpaths or bridleways and these are nearly always signposted clearly. Follow your map and guidebook. Navigation With a map and a guidebook your navigation should be quite straightforward. Weather You may be lucky enough to encounter warm, dry weather over the whole route and enjoy dry paths and tremendous views, but you should be prepared because the weather can change quickly. Good clothing and waterproofs are essential! To book visit www.awalkinthecountry.com or call 017687 71656 017687 71656 www.awalkinthecountry.com Herriot Way Page 3 Our holidays The Herriot Way is a circular route so you can choose to start in any location. Our itinerary is described as starting from Aysgarth, in the heart of Wensleydale, and progresses in a clockwise direction. This is the traditional way to walk the Herriot Way and is also how the guidebook describes the route, however, there is no golden rule which states that the route has to be walked in this direction. Route Herriot Way - Round Trip from Aysgarth We offer two walking holidays covering the full route. The longer itinerary of 5 walking days splits the Aysgarth to Hawes leg at Askrigg to make two shorter days, which allows you to ease yourself into the walk gradually before the next three longer days, and also gives you time to explore the market town of Hawes. To book visit www.awalkinthecountry.com or call 017687 71656 017687 71656 www.awalkinthecountry.com Herriot Way Page 4 What's Included Every walking holiday includes: Accommodation We’ll select your accommodation from a specially curated collection of hotels, farmhouses, country houses, and coaching inns along each of our routes. When selecting accommodation our focus is a helpful, friendly host with good quality accommodation and superb facilities. All of our accommodation has been carefully chosen so that you can unwind after a long day’s walking and enjoy unique architectural features, quirks and interiors, whilst also experiencing a superb level of comfort and service. Breakfast To make sure that you put your best foot forward after a good night’s sleep you can get your day started with either a Full English breakfast or a Continental breakfast. Luggage transfer We’ll also transfer your luggage between each overnight stop. All you need to do is leave your bag at your accommodation when you set off in the morning, and it will be moved to your next overnight stop for when you arrive later that day. All you’ll need is a small day sack with any clothes and provisions that you’ll need during your day’s walk Personal itinerary An itinerary setting out the relevant information for each overnight stop, including large scale maps for each location and details of where we’d recommend you head for your evening meal. Maps OS map/s (1:25,000) covering your whole route. Guidebook Detailed route information, including maps and photos. Services information An information sheet detailing cash points, banks, post offices, village shops, inns, cafes and taxis available along the route. Emergency support We are always on hand to help if you experience any difficulties during your holiday, including outside of normal office hours. 15% discount at Cotswold Outdoors As a little thank you from us you will get a 15% discount at all Cotswold Outdoor stores - online and high street - for twelve months following confirmation of your booking. Options: Off road parking If you are travelling to your start location by car just let us know and we will see what we can do to organise parking for the duration of your trip. There may be a small charge for this. Return transport We can also arrange transfer back to your car - it’s no problem, just ask - and we’ll even advise you when public transport is a better option! What’s not Included: Evening meal Your evening meal isn’t included in your walking holiday package, however your itinerary will include details of the best local eateries along your route - it could be a pub, a restaurant or even the accommodation that you’re staying in - so you’ll be able to relax and refuel after a good day’s walking. We always do our best to pick somewhere within walking distance of your accommodation, and you should allow approximately £20.00 per night for your evening meal. Packed lunch We don’t include a packed lunch as part of your walking holiday. Transport to and from your start and finish points Click on the “Travel Info” tab on your chosen walking holiday for our recommendations. Alternatively just get in touch with us directly and we’ll help you sort it all out. Travel Insurance For your own peace of mind we’d recommend you make sure that you’ve got ample travel insurance before you set off on your holiday. To book visit www.awalkinthecountry.com or call 017687 71656 017687 71656 www.awalkinthecountry.com Herriot Way Page 5 Rest days Travel info No recommended rest days available for this holiday General travel information on the Herriot Way area will be in your holiday pack. Detailed instructions on getting to your first night’s accommodation by car, or on foot from the nearest train or bus station, will also be included in the holiday pack on individual accommodation maps. To view train times please visit qjump where you can also purchase tickets in advance. For information on bus timetables please visit traveline. By Air: The nearest airports are Manchester International (MAN) and Leeds Bradford (LBA). By public transport: The most convenient stations would be Northallerton on the London to Edinburgh line or Garsdale on the Leeds - Settle - Carlisle Railway line. From Northallerton Railway Station there are buses to Aysgarth but you would need to change twice. A taxi would be around 50 minutes. From Garsdale Railway Station you can take a bus to Aysgarth, changing at Hawes, or a taxi taking around 35 minutes. To book visit www.awalkinthecountry.com or call 017687 71656 017687 71656 www.awalkinthecountry.com Herriot Way Page 6 Accommodation A good night’s sleep is critical on your walking holiday. We want you to wake refreshed and recharged ready for a new day, and selecting the right accommodation for you is our priority.We have spent time and energy rigorously curating our collection of hotels, farmhouses, country houses, and coaching inns. When selecting accommodation our key focus is a helpful, friendly host with good quality accommodation and superb facilities.